The Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes gives 2012 Kentucky Derby hopefuls the opportunity to compete under the Twin Spires and morning line favorite Ever So Lucky gets the acid test.

Ever So Lucky, conditioned by Jonathan Sheppard, turned heads with a smashing local debut sprint tally Nov 11. The $600k son of Indian Charlie could be any kind but is worth trying to beat on the win end at 5-2 in his stakes route bow.

Cyber Secret also began his career with a sharp victory and he showed determination in the Belmont mud that day. Chad Brown’s $110k Keeneland sales grad earned a competitive number in that Oct 20 affair and is bred to route. He seems worth a shot at 6-1.

Gemologist is 2-for-2 and might get brave if able to shake loose early. He should face pace pressure from Ever So Lucky, Mr. Prankster, Fine, and maybe Saint Honore from the outside post, but Todd Pletcher’s $310k colt exits a course/distance tally and could be the speed of the speed.

Timely Tally rallied for the place behind Gemologist last time and did not get much pace help that day. He figures to save all of the ground under Borel and today’s expected honest fractions should help his cause. The improving sort can threaten these at 10-1.

Wayne Lukas gives Optimizer another shot on dirt after his charge finished 8th in the BC Juvenile. Distance is not a question but the son of English Channel might be better on synthetic or turf. He removes the hood and will try to get involved late.

Atigun is getting better for Ken McPeek and he appeared to enjoy the Churchill main track in his flat mile graduation run Nov 6. He is playable at 10-1.

Africanist ran into the likes of Currency Swap and Alpha in his first two outings at the Spa. He exits a course/distance maiden win in the slop and can compete for a spot in the Trifecta at 10-1.